A 21-year-old local man pleaded guilty this week to attempting to abscond with a vehicle, to be granted an absolute discharge.

The court heard that on Sept. 11, 2007, Jeremy Shaw and another man were seen by witnesses in a remote part of town as they "tried to enter parked cars."

Police were notified of the suspicious activity, and soon apprehended the accused. On Tuesday, Crown attorney Enno Meijers affirmed that no vehicles were actually taken in the incident.

Defence counsel Charles Bourgeois said his client has already done 40 hours of community service in outdoor maintenance at a retirement home - in addition to voluntarily taking the 'Skill Tracks' program for first-time offenders.

"He's on the right track," the lawyer said.

Both the Crown and Mr. Justice Roland Harris concurred, providing that Shaw avoids all contact with his accomplice.